Thread: New scope recommendations for Kimber Hunter .280 AI

I'm looking to upgrade my Bushnell scope on my Kimber Hunter and have narrowed it down to the following choices, just need some advice. Looking for an all around scope for Bush and open country / tops (600 metres max). Ideally something with excellent low light performance.

1. Leupold vx3i 3.5-10 x 40 CDS
2. Leupold vx5 HD 2-10 x 42
3. Swarovski Z3 4-12 x 50 BT.

I like the Swarovski, just wondering what ring height I need and if it will be too high off the stock with the 50mm objective to get a proper cheek weld. Looks like they have a excelllent reviews, but are they too big for a lightweight mountain rifle?

I guess the VX3I is the best of the 3 options due to its light weight but I'm happy to spend a bit more on the VX5, though it is nearly 17 ounces weight and 30mm tube - so same question applies to this scope as the Swarovski.

Vx5 all day. 30mm tube so helps with elevation, the 10xpower will be plenty for that range and it has amazing glass. I have just gone to the vx5 3-15 and I cannot fault it. Was not impressed by my vx3i at all and the swaro has good glass and the duleys use it to 600 plus on a 284 superpig but having looked through them would still take the vx5

Go for the VX5 the vx3i is rubbish compared to it.
I had a couple of Z5 Swovoski and I find the VX5 a better scope for me.

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Seriously ,if your going to carry then the leupy 2.5-8 will be perfect
If you intend to shoot, then....

2-10 vx5 is an awesome scope, I had a 3-15 on my rifle and then bought a 2-10 and I love it so much it's my main scope now, awesome in low light (I shot a deer tonight right on dark and by the time I walked the 88yds over to it, it was pitch black) they are lightweight for the features they have and unbeatable warranty. No problems shooting out to 600yds also.

I've found the VX3i to dial well but the glass is nothing to write home about

Have a look at Nikon scopes as well.

+1 for the vx5, there's a reason that they're hard to find second hand.

yeh power range i use a 2-10 also- fine as out to 500 or more. None of the brands above tho but that range is good for me.

I've bought a 2.5-10 mag range. for me anything larger than that would be more than I need for the hunting i currently do now.

VX6 2-12x42 would be another great option. They come up for sale 2nd hand at times, but not often cos they are such brilliant scopes. Another 2-10 is the Zeiss HD5, again don’t see many around

Originally Posted by chainsaw

VX6 2-12x42 would be another great option. They come up for sale 2nd hand at times, but not often cos they are such brilliant scopes. Another 2-10 is the Zeiss HD5, again don’t see many around

this is what i picked after agonising what to put on my kimber.
it was before the vx5 came out so I dont know if it edges it out
Im pretty happy with it
was tempted to go super lightweight with a leupold ultralight but im glad I didnt

After a few weeks deliberating between Z6 and the VX 6, I opted for the Leupold 3 - 18. Both about par on glass quality, price, and weight.
Far better turret system in the Leupold imo - VX 5's are the same

I dont think any of those models have parallax adjustment do they ? Best research whether that would be a help.

Originally Posted by Bagheera

I dont think any of those models have parallax adjustment do they ? Best research whether that would be a help.

Not really required with 12x max